Chapter 3
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a familiar bed, far calmer than Archer had expected.
He sat at the edge of the bed, his long fingers brushing the strands of hair from my forehead, his voice softer than usual.
“I didn’t expect you to be pregnant. Since that’s the case, let’s forget about what happened that day. From now on, be good and don’t throw tantrums.”
Should I thank you for being so considerate and generous?
He lifted me gently and cradled me in his arms, feeding me a spoonful of soup. “Tomatoes from Provence and top-grade beef. You haven’t eaten in days, the baby must be starving.”
I couldn’t swallow it. I turned my face away from the spoon and yanked the IV from my hand.
“Where’s my mother?”
Archer paused, his brow furrowing slightly. “Dorian’s still just a kid. He didn’t mean to steal your mother’s ashes.”
The world around me spun.
“So you really fed her to a dog?!”
“Archer, ashes mixed with dog food are so nutritious. Sunshine’s been in such good spirits today.”
At that moment, Cassidy walked in, holding the beagle and giggling.
“Elise, we really must thank your mother.”
Seeing her smug face, the last shred of my sanity snapped.
I clenched my fists and lunged at Cassidy. “Cassidy, I’ll make you die with her!”
Just as my fist was about to strike, I saw the snake-like smile curling at the corner of her lips.
She seized my hand and violently threw herself back, crashing into her own shoulder. Then, she screamed, stumbling backward and hurling the beagle out the window.
“Ah, Sunshine!”
The dog's shriek abruptly cut off, and Cassidy collapsed to the ground in anguish.
Archer rushed to her, arms wrapping around her waist, staring at me in disbelief. “What did you do? Cassidy did nothing wrong. Why are you so cruel, so venomous?!”
I shook my head in stunned silence. “I didn’t, it wasn’t me…”
He didn’t hear a word. Cradling the sobbing Cassidy, he murmured, “I’m sorry, baby, don’t cry. I’ll make sure she’s punished for this.”
He shoved past me, rushing out with her in his arms.
I dropped to my knees, my stomach churning as I vomited onto the floor.
Two maids entered, rolling their eyes at me.
“You better learn your place. Miss Trent’s birthday is in two days. Sir’s busy planning a grand party for her. No matter how much you pretend, he won’t look at you again.”
A mop smacked hard against my knee.
“Look at this disgusting mess. You’re pathetic.”
After they left, I wandered barefoot, lost in thought, stepping aimlessly into the garden. Archer and his assistant were talking by the pond.
I instinctively hid behind a tangle of vines, my heart pounding as their conversation drifted toward me.
“Tomorrow is Elise’s birthday. Since you gave Cassidy that yacht worth over a hundred million, shouldn’t you get something nice for her, too?”
Thinking of Cassidy, Archer’s voice softened like a warm spring breeze.
“Remember to cover the entire yacht with 9,999 diamond roses. Cassidy loves those.”
Then his tone turned icy.
“As for Elise, just pick something random.”
The assistant hesitated, concerned. “You don’t even remember her birthday? Aren’t you worried she’ll leave you?”
Archer snorted.
“She’s like a dog I can summon whenever I please. Why would she leave? Besides, she killed Cassidy’s dog; she’s the one who’s wrong and should be begging for forgiveness.”
My hands trembled as I clutched the front of my shirt.
It finally hit me. In his eyes, I wasn’t a lover, I wasn’t even human.
He’d forgotten my birthday. My gift could be something the assistant picked without a second thought.
But for Cassidy, he’d move mountains to make her happy.
I took a deep breath and dialed Nolan Barrett, my brother.
"Brother, end all ties between the Barretts and the Monroes. I’m ready to leave him."
Nolan's voice cracked when he answered.
"You should’ve left him and come back to France long ago. Anyone can see, he’s never loved you."
I forced a bitter smile. "Yeah. I was blind."
Just as I hung up, my eyes met Archer’s as he turned around.
He walked over, hands shoved in his pockets, his gaze sharp and suspicious.
"Who were you talking to on the phone?"
